Gazpacho: Molok

Norwegian art-rockers plot universal destruction.

You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.

Nope, not figuratively – they literally have it planned. At the end of Molok, a glitchy code could technically play havoc with our CD software and destroy the universe. Their theory is backed by science and everything. Yeah, science.

Continuing their experimental, gleefully non-radio-friendly tradition, Gazpacho have devised a concept album so weird and complicated as to include God, child sacrifice and Stonehenge. And lethal coding.

So try to believe us when we say there are strong, melodic songs amid all that what-the-fuckery. Creative driver Thomas Andersen writes jingles by day, which has always steered Gazpacho’s other-worldly matter in a warm, engaging direction.

A Pandora’s box of celestial strings, twinkly bits, modern-classical keyboard jabs and sinister electronics make a richly enigmatic backdrop. Creepy distortion evokes a darker, Scandinavian Radiohead in the likes of Know Your Time, Bela Kiss introduces a bouncy Balkan folk jig, while plaintive piano and Floydian guitar sustains a tangible, human rocker core.

Strange, beautiful music from fervently individual minds. Approach with caution.

Polly Glass
Deputy Editor, Classic Rock

Polly is deputy editor at Classic Rock magazine, where she writes and commissions regular pieces and longer reads (including new band coverage), and has interviewed rock's biggest and newest names. She also contributes to Louder, Prog and Metal Hammer and talks about songs on the 20 Minute Club podcast. Elsewhere she's had work published in The Musician, delicious. magazine and others, and written biographies for various album campaigns. In a previous life as a women's magazine junior she interviewed Tracey Emin and Lily James – and wangled Rival Sons into the arts pages. In her spare time she writes fiction and cooks.